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      Newsletter
      January 6, 2003
      Published by Steve Klusmeyer
      Distributed by hundred-acre-woods.com
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      Sorry, but I have no control over those who may have added your name or forwarded a copy of this newsletter to your address. I do want to thank you for taking a moment to check out this issue.

      Please Do NOT subscribe someone to Blessed to Bless! without their prior permission! Instead, forward a copy and allow them to make the choice. That way I won't get yelled at when they think they are being spammed! Thanks for your help.


      New HTML Edition

      I'm trying something new this week by sending Blessed to Bless! in an HTML format. That means that you should be able to see images and click on links to other sites. I would enjoy hearing your feed back as to which version you prefer and if you are unable to see the images or click on the links. I will also send the non-HTML version so that you can compare the two.

      Please note that there are no attachments to either the HTML version or the text-only version of Blessed to Bless!. It is therefore totally safe from a virus point of view.


        A Word From Our Sponsors - Why?

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        Perhaps you are like some couples who say their marriage is feeling tired. Or worse, in trouble. You may be unsure where to turn for help. I can count the places I would recommend on one hand. Here's a great one I recently discovered. -Steve
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      In This Issue

      • By Steve: New Experience
      • Quotes to Remember: by Jonathan Katz, Bill Gates, and Others
      • By Someone Else:
        • Computers - Gotta Love 'Em!
        • Exercise Program for the New Year
        • The Height Of . . .
        • Five Important Lessons
      • From the Bible: Psalm 23:6
      • Useful Information: Credits, Subscribe/Unsubscribe, etc

      If you haven't read the Useful Information at the end of this newsletter or if it's been a while, please take a few minutes to check it out.

      If you enjoy Blessed to Bless, you might also like another newsletter that I publish. Subscribe to Ponder This.


      By Steve

      New Experience
      -by Steve Klusmeyer - 1/6/2004

      I read a story about a new, inexperienced waitress who said she was worried about carrying the heavy trays and serving from them. Another waitress explained that tray stands were located throughout the restaurant. The nervous beginner began her shift and successfully served all her customers. Afterward she asked an elderly couple if everything had been all right. "It was fine, dear," replied the man, "but my wife and I have to leave now. Could she please have her walker back?"

      Well, I'm trying something new this week and I hope I don't leave you wondering what's going on. I'm sending Blessed to Bless! in an HTML format. That means that you should be able to see images and click on links to other sites. I would enjoy hearing your feed back as to which version you prefer and if you are unable to see the images or click on the links. I will also send the non-HTML version so that you can compare the two. (This is the HTML version)

      The extra time to prepare this issue is why you are receiving it 24 to 36 hours later than usual. Should be back on schedule next week.

      Please note that there are no attachments to either the HTML version or the text-only version of Blessed to Bless! It is therefore totally safe from a virus point of view.

      Read more writings by Steve.

      Go to the link above to read previous Writings by Steve. Photos are included with many of the writings. Follow other links in this newsletter to read additional Writings by Others, Quotes to Remember, and Pictures with a Story.


        A Word From Our Sponsors - Why?

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        Please stop by our affiliates and malls. Most are Christian, and they are all good products and companies.

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      Quotes to Remember:

      When I'm driving here I see a sign that says, CAUTION: SMALL CHILDREN PLAYING. I slow down, and then it occurs to me, I'm not afraid of small children.
      -Jonathan Katz (1947-Present) USA Song Writer, Actor, Comedian

      640K ought to be enough for anybody.
      Bill Gates in 1981 (1955-Present) USA CEO of Microsoft

      My mind works like lightning . . . One brilliant flash and it's gone.
      -Unknown

      I have a short attention . . . What?
      -Unknown

      I'm destined for greatness . . . I'm just pacing myself.
      -Unknown

      I've gone to find myself. If I get back before I've found me, please keep me here.
      -Unknown

      Read more Quotes to Remember.


      By Someone Else:

      Computers - Gotta Love 'Em!

      For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way computers have enhanced our lives, read on.

      At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated, "If GM had kept up with the technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon".

      In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating:

      If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics:

      • For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.
      • Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.
      • Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull over to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.
      • Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.
      • Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five percent of the roads.
      • The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation" warning light.
      • The airbag system would ask "Are you sure?" before deploying.
      • Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.
      • Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.
      • You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.

      -Unknown

      Received from: Clean Humor
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        A Word From Our Sponsors - Why?

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        End of A Word From Our Sponsors



      By Someone Else:

      Exercise Program for the New Year

      The doctor told me "Physical exercise is good for you." I know that I should do it, but my body is out of shape, so I have worked out this easy daily program I can do anywhere:

      Monday:
        Beat around the bush.
        Jump to conclusions.
        Climb the walls.
        Wade through paperwork.


      Tuesday:
        Drag my heels.
        Push my luck.
        Make mountains out of mole hills.
        Hit the nail on the head.


      Wednesday:
        Bend over backwards.
        Jump on the band wagon.
        Balance the books.
        Run around in circles.


      Thursday:
        Toot my own horn.
        Climb the ladder of success.
        Pull out the stops.
        Add fuel to the fire.


      Friday:
        Open a can of worms.
        Put my foot in my mouth.
        Start the ball rolling.
        Go over the edge.


      Saturday:
        Pick up the pieces.
        Whew! What a workout!
        You are invited to use my program without charge!!


      -from Gentle Humor
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      By Someone Else:

      The Height of . . .

      Height of Isolation:
        Two persons sitting side by side using emails to communicate with each other.

      Height of Cowardice:
        Two persons fighting through emails.

      Height of Helplessness:
        Receiving no emails for a week.

      Height of Frustration:
        The email server being down.

      Height of Carelessness:
        Writing a love mail and doing a Send All.

      Height of Achievement:
        A person sending email to a girl wanting to become friends and getting a reply.

      Height of Timepass:
        A person sending email to himself.

      Height of Expectation:
        Sending Indian cricket team an e-mail, wishing them to win a match.

      Height of Having No Work:
        You people reading such e-mails.

      -Unknown

      Received from: Clean Humor Digest
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      -from LAUGHTER FOR A SATURDAY Subscribe

      Read more writings by Others.


        A Word From Our Sponsors - Why?

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        End of A Word From Our Sponsors



      By Someone Else:

      Five Important Lessons

      First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady

      During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one:

      "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"

      Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.'

      I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

      Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain

      One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.

      She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."

      Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.

      Third Important Lesson - Always Remember Those Who Serve

      In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.

      When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

      Fourth Important Lesson - The Obstacle in Our Path

      In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

      Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse laying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

      Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts

      Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek.

      Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away." Being young the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

      -Unknown
      Do you know who wrote this article? Let me know so that I can give credit where credit is due.

      Read more writings by Others.


      Life's F.A.Qs.

      Many are asking tough questions in today's world. Maybe you have been asking a few of the same ones. Learn more about answers to some of life's tough questions.


      From the Bible:

      Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.
      -Psalm 23:6 (NLT)


      What is Blessed to Bless?

      Blessed to Bless! is published on a round-2-it basis. Most weeks, you will receive at least one issue. Some weeks, you may receive two or three. Once in a while, you may not receive an issue for a week or two. So, whenever I get a round-to-it, you can expect to hear, "You've got mail," Yahoo," or whatever happens on your PC.

      Blessed to Bless! contains an article that I have written using simple everyday events to illustrate qualities and ideals sought after by many in the world today. Also included are writings from other sources that I have come across (usually by e-mail or a book I am reading). I try not to send everything that comes along; but I do send those that I think would be a blessing to you . . . or at least make you think for a moment and/or bring a smile to your face for just a little while.

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      Please note that there are no attachments to either the HTML version or the text-only version of Blessed to Bless! It is therefore totally safe from a virus point of view. Be aware that the latest ludicrous viruses send out email from people's email programs, pretending to be from someone else within their address book. As my address becomes better known, it is just possible that you could receive such bogus e-mails - they are not from me!

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      Blessed to Bless! -Genesis 12:1-3
      " . . . I will bless you; . . . and you will be a blessing. . . . and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

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      The End! Thanks for Reading.

      Give a nice day! -Acts 20:35
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